Overview & Reviews

Why are Honda vehicles so highly regarded by American drivers? Certainly, their excellent reputation for reliability and quality is a major factor. But it also has to do with the overall driving and owning experience. Read any Honda review and you'll likely notice common themes such as thoughtful design, a friendly nature, better-than-average fuel economy and attention to safety.

Japan-based Honda Motor Company was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda. The company got its start making motorbikes. Japan had been rendered cash poor and fuel-starved after World War II, and its citizens were hurting for an inexpensive, fuel-efficient mode of transportation. Honda's first motorcycles mated engines with bicycles to create a motorbike that was cheap to make and operate.

Honda's bikes quickly evolved into vehicles far more sophisticated than small engines stuck into bicycle frames. The manufacturer's 1949 D-Type could reach speeds of up to 50 mph, and offered front and rear suspension. The 1950s saw the launch of the successful Juno scooter, built to steal market share from the Vespa knockoffs that were popular in Japan at that time. In the latter part of that decade, Honda introduced the ultra-successful C100 Super Cub. The motorbike was remarkably easy to operate and featured a crossbar-free frame that made it popular with women. It went on to become the first Honda motorbike sold in the U.S. via then-new American Honda Co. in 1959.

By the early 1960s, Honda had built its first automobiles for the Japanese home market and entered Formula One racing. But it wasn't until 1970 that it exported its first car, the diminutive N600, to the U.S. The automaker initially had a hard time sparking interest among American buyers, but that all changed in 1973 with the introduction of the Civic. The car was larger than Honda's previous models even though it was still very petite compared to compact American cars. The Civic's high fuel efficiency (an important selling point given that decade's energy crisis) and affordability made it Honda's first American success story. By 1976, the Civic had been joined by the Accord, which quickly became a favorite with U.S. consumers as well.

By the 1980s, Honda's success and its reputation as a maker of well-built reliable cars and motorcycles continued to grow. It began building Accords in the U.S. in 1982 and by 1989 had earned the distinction of making America's most popular car. This was also the decade in which Honda created the Acura brand as a way to sell more upscale and luxurious vehicles. Throughout this decade and into the 1990s, the Civic and Accord were huge sellers and considered class benchmarks. Also during this time, Honda continued to innovate through such technologies as variable valve timing, aluminum body construction and improved safety features.

Today, Honda's lineup runs the gamut. Included are fuel-sipping hybrids, a spacious minivan, reliable family sedans, practical SUVs and even a pickup. Although the latest Civic and Accord aren't quite the benchmarks they once were for their respective classes, Honda's brand as a whole continues to be one of the most well respected in the industry, with millions of loyal and satisfied customers.

User Reviews:

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  Best Honda Accord I ever had!!! - 2013 Honda Accord
  By inoa - November 6 - 8:05 am

  I had a 2004 accord coupe and a 2008 honda accord coupe, now I own a 2013 accor sport and I love it!!! It is comfortable, a lot of space, the technology is awsome and the safety is great. It has 78,400 miles and it feels like new.

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  The vibrating is a small yet extremely irritating. - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Brit - November 5 - 9:45 pm

  I love the way the car drives, until you stop. While idling the car shakes enough to the point when I have got out I can still feel it in my back. Honda claimed to know nothing until I copped an attitude, they have been extremely helpful but can literally do nothing. Im young, first car I have ever purchased, I am not very happy to have a payment sky high when the car is not perfect. Ive had it for three weeks it should not be shaking. Also the vibration causes things in the car to vibrate and make a rattling sound which is also annoying. I have had issues getting out of the car because of where the E-Break is placed, my foot snags on it everyday. Another thing that bothers me is that when I put the car into "drive" it appears as its in drive but is actually in neutral. I was also told that there is a breaking system that wont let the car roll when you park on a hill, yet everyday it still rolls about two inches after putting it in park and putting the E-Break on. I am very annoyed with the car, I will not be buying from honda again. The vibration is what irritates me the most, the other things I mentioned would not bother me as much is those were the only things wrong with it.

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  Vibration - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By William Eng - November 5 - 8:52 am

  Two major problems with the 2015 Honda CRV model. I bought the EXL on 9/12/2015 and after one week noticed: (1) while stopped in drive, with A/C off, and rpm at 600, the car was vibrating to the extent I was getting a butt and back massage in my seat. Its annoying to have a new car vibrate so much while stopped at a light. however once I turned the A/C on, the RPM increased to 900 and the rough idle stopped. The service manager stated Honda is aware of this problem and a software fix is pending....but when? (2) When my car reaches 70 or more, you can feel the front end and steering wheel vibrate. After three attempts with the Honda dealership, they performed a "road force balance" on all four tires. This stopped the front end vibration by about 80%. All these issues should not have happened with a new car. Sadly, had I noticed these problems, I would not have bought a Honda CRV. I noticed on the internet, many other owners of the CRV are having the same vibration issues and Honda does not inform customers about it until after purchase. I should have bought a RAV4.

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  My complete Thinking of this vehicle - 2012 Honda Odyssey
  By D Smart - November 5 - 8:48 am

  I love this mini van from both the looks and performance. However there is a significant flaw in the design from my view point. First of all consider that I am 6 feet tall and weigh about 230 pounds whereas my wife is 4 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 105 pounds. Keeping this in mind, the vehicle suits me at the 5-starlevel but, not true for my wife with her leser height. Egressing and ingressing as the driver and/or front seat passenger is rated at about the 1-star level. Example from front seat either side of vehicle, she must turn so to have her legs out the door and then slide off the seat, basically uncontrolled fall, until her feet touch the ground. Getting into the vehicle is eq`ually as difficult, too. Now as the driver, she must raise the seat to max height and full forward in order to partially see over the dash. This position places her right knee against the lower part of the dash. To me this is a dangerous position in case of a head-on collision. Next, she has difficulty with vissibility from drivers position looking to right and/or left at a 45 degree angle as the view is completely blocked by the design/position of the pillars right and left of windshield. These drawbacks do not apply to me due to my increased height. Additionally, she has trouble reaching the brake and accelerator pedals, too. I have searched for pedal extenders, but Honda does not have them and the dealer could not help me on this problem. This problem is of such magnitude that I feel compelled to exchange this vehicle for another that will better suit the two of us in a more safe manner. Again, and as final note, this vehicle and the things stated about my wife apply only to her as I am completely satisfied although I, too, have significant visibility reduction at 45 degree angle to the left from drivers seat, and came very close to striking a pesdestrain who was blocked from my view by the left of windshield post.

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  Best Car I have Ever Owned! - 2003 Honda CR-V
  By Chris - November 4 - 11:14 pm

  My 2003 CRV EX with over 242,000 miles has been the absolute BEST car I have ever owned in terms or reliability, minimal repairs and overall performance in all weather conditions. The only complaint I have is the driver side door lock actuator which needed replacement and apparently has been an issue with this year Honda. However, when I decided to buy a new car for business needs, I choose another CRV without hesitation.

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  DO NOT PURCHASE 2015 - VIBRATION IS AWFUL - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By SANDRA SPURLOCK - November 4 - 3:40 pm

  Cannot believe Honda is still selling this vehicle with all its issues. There should be a class action suit against them. They are selling CR-V that they know have major problems. Really! Do not buy Honda CR-V.

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  nice car - 2014 Honda Civic
  By JL - November 4 - 8:58 am

  have about 12000 miles on my lx coupe after a year drove over 2000 miles one trip on it no issues . changed the oil myself and just put in a new air filter . used synthetic seems to be doing good have changed oil twice so far . wouldnt want someone "accidentaly" using wrong oil or telling me about problems that seemed to happen at the shop .. my only complaint is that a coulple times I have left the parking break on while using reverse ( guess brakes are still fine) would be nice if a better warning came on . but other than that it is a very nice car I have 17 inch rims on there with low profile tires

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  Good car if honda solves vibration issue - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Jose - November 3 - 7:59 pm

  Overall a good car beside vibration issue. Good acceleration, good quality interior, good apearance. But vibration issue is annoying. It can make you sick if you have too many stops on your commute. I took my car to delership all they says it is characteristic of this vehicle and they dont thing anything wrong with it. They did software update and no improvement.

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  Did someone pay someone to report bad vibrations? - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By greg chick - November 3 - 10:55 am

  I bought, but did not take possession of a CRV while waiting for biz. issues to settle. I read many reports of road or car vibrations, I test drove "Mine" again and found very smooth drive in all situations. My current trade in is a 2013 Beemer, past cars have been Porsche 911 s and Audis and other fine cars. I have not been used to a rough ride. This Honda is my first Honda and while I do not "own" it yet, I feel the need to ask, Did someone pay someone to bad vibe this car? Or am I just lucky?

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  CVT=junk - 2014 Honda Accord
  By Dave - November 2 - 9:56 pm

  2014 accord sport 2.4 currently 14k miles and no longer my headache....